Welcome to the blog!

I'm Britney! Together with my husband, Shawn, we photograph relationships at the very beginning of their forever. Our wedding photography style is genuine, romantic, and fun, meaning loads of laughing and smiles. Enjoy browsing our site, and we can't wait to hear from you! Read more...

Maryland

Wedding Photographers in Maryland

So when the weather says all day rain, what that means in Maryland is that there is a 10% chance of rain for exactly 2 hours. Tony and Rafaela's day will forever be a memorable one. From the tornado watch, to Tony's face FULLY going into the cake, it is a day that we will not forget. Pulling up to the venue, Springfield Manor, with a light drizzle and a light breeze, we knew it was going to be a great wedding. Regardless of what the weather said, we knew the day would be unique.
We've known Tony and his family for almost 5 years now. His sister, Christina, found us in 2014, and ever since that first email in March, we have been welcomed into such a miraculous family. We adore them so much, and they feel so much like our own family. So when Tony reached out about photographing his wedding. Oh my goodness, I started crying happy tears over JUST the engagement! Once I got myself together, I knew there was nothing in this world that would keep Shawn and I from Tony and Rafaela's wedding day.
What a completely spectacular day. Like I mentioned, it was supposed to rain the entire day, but that didn't end up happening. About 30 minutes before the ceremony, the rain stopped and then sun peeked out for a little bit. Everything Tony and Rafaela had been dreaming of for their wedding went off without a hitch! They even got...

Krystle & David

If you aren't sure if you want an engagement session, I urge you to keep reading this post. Eventually the words will turn into photos, which should sell you completely. Krystle and David's session is LITERALLY what I love about engagement sessions. They had fun ideas, a clear vision, and dove right in. There was a comfort level right from the start that really made this shoot fantastic. It helped that they chose such a special location: their home in Essex!
There are seriously not enough adjectives to describe Krystle and David's relationship. There aren't even enough to describe them as individuals. They are one of a kind! The way these two snuggle together and fit so neatly into each other's arm just...AH! It makes me eyes tear up. Seeing a love like their's is like watching the last 5 minutes of romantic comedy, you feel every ounce of happy emotion and really excited for the future. The best part of Krystle and David's movie, though? They are real and we get to celebrate them in person, haha!
Not only do these two feel like friends already, but their day is shaping up to be spectacular. It's important to note that I'm not just saying that because they gave us two bottles of DELICIOUS wine, haha! Krystle and David put so much thought into their engagement session. They made sure it reflected both of them, and all of the love they have for one another. David is...

Family Fun!

Last week, we had the best experience ever! Before I dive into all of the excitement, I want to give a little background. For Christmas this year, Shawn and I decided to gift new experiences to people instead of good ol' presents. We thought it would be fun to spend time together, rather than just give something that may be forgotten about and left in a closet. For Shawn's family, we wanted to do something that would bring us together and bond us in a new way. It wasn't easy finding something that we thought everyone would love, but when I discovered the Baltimore Chef Shop and all of the classes they offer, it just kind of clicked.
The Baltimore Chef Shop
The owner of the shop, Scott, actually created this space for the every day person. He wanted to give people the chance to learn how to create meals that were sustainable and they could be proud of. There is a class for everyone at the Baltimore Chef Shop. From artisan chocolate to Thai street food, there are no limits to what you can learn.
Bonus points for also needing no experience. Shawn has never had the chance to flex his cooking chops at home. I'm too much of a food control freak, so he has about 5 xp in that skill. However, he did an amazing job, and I don't think there was a single point where he felt he couldn't do what was asked. It was awesome...

A Beautiful Ballroom Wedding at La Fontaine Bleue

Sarah and Kevin were married at the fabulous La Fontaine Bleue on one of the most perfect Spring days. Seriously, the sun was shining and the temperature was just right for a bride in a Cinderella gown, haha. Their wedding was intimate, romantic, and full of so much love. Kevin's reaction when he saw his beautiful bride coming down the aisle was so full of excitement that I thought he was going to burst.
Probably one of the things I adore the most on a wedding day is when a couple softly sings their first dance song to each other. It's such a simple thing, twirling around on the dance floor and being so overcome with the song's feelings that you have to whisper certain parts of it in your beloved's ear. The moment Sarah and Kevin's song came on, Forever Ain't Enough by J Holiday, Kevin immediately took Sarah into his arms and started singing to her while dancing. Witnessing this filled me with so much giddy happiness, and it easily became my most favorite part of the day <3.
Shawn and I are so happy for these two. I cannot say enough how wonderful and amazing they both are. We know that their marriage is going to be beautiful!
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All of the amazing vendors that made this day the best day ever!
Ceremony & Reception Venue: La Fontaine Bleue
Caterer & Cake: La Fontaine Bleue
Makeup: Kristen Goldberg
Hair:...

Manifesting Dreams

As Shawn pointed out in his post on Monday, when he arrived back home from Arizona, he shared with me an itsy bitsy cold. I am a very dramatic sick person, so I was pretty much out of commission for a day or two. While sprawled out on the couch and binge watching Modern Family, I started to think about all the venues I've had the opportunity to shoot and all of the ones I have only been dreaming to photograph at. I've heard previously that when you want to make something happen, you should put it out in the world because it may manifest itself into reality. After awhile I started to really believe in that and started to be a little more genuine to myself. I was truly surprised in the effect that it had on my life and the positivity that it brought. So, naturally, I have started trying to work the magic into Britney Clause Photography.
When Shawn joined me in 2015, he started to experience these beautiful places and adventures with me. After he came aboard, I really started to expand my view on what, where, and who I wanted to photograph. The "where" got me especially excited because I know there are an extraordinary amount of amazing venues in Maryland alone. So when I opened up my mind to all of the possibilities - oh man - that made me start to imagine big things for the future. I have a ton...

Tips and Tricks

Since I've been stuck indoors for the past 4 days, I've done a lot of thinking about engagement sessions. Weird? Maybe. But engagement season is here and, soon enough, the weather will be gorgeous, the sun will be warm, and the snow will be not trapping everyone to their house. Ahhh, a beautiful day-dream, haha. The main thing on my mind is getting clients to recognize the benefit of a professional engagement session.
It may be tempting to overlook engagement photos. The benefits of these sessions are amazing, not just for you as the couple, but also for Shawn and I as the photographers. I've taken note of the 5 main reasons to do an engagement session with your wedding photographer and I'm really looking forward to going over them:
1.) The biggest benefit is getting to know your photographer and their style.
Every photographer is different between their shooting and editing style. My shooting style is relaxed, romantic, and fun with a huge focus on your natural interactions rather than looking at me and cheesy smiling. That's not something that couples can necessarily see just by looking at photos on my blog.
2.) You get to have real and true stress-free fun!
There are so many things when it comes to wedding planning that get you into a hectic mood, but when you prepare for your session with your photographer you should feel at ease with the images from their portfolio and know that...

Things to Consider

At this point, more than a few of the wedding planning sites you are on may be telling you to do a first look. They give a run-down of what it is and of all of the good that comes from doing one. Some of those sites may even say that your photographer will tell you to do one. Seriously, though, who am I to say "you must have a first look"? I would be a complete hypocrite if I demanded that; Shawn and I didn't do a first look, and even if we had the chance to go back and have one, we wouldn't. One of the things we both wanted from our day was for the first moment we see each other to be when I was walking down the aisle to him. We instead did an alternative to a first look where we held hands and said a prayer while separated by a door frame. I'm so glad that we did it this way because it was a moment I would never take back for anything. It was special and real and -- yes -- there were tears <3.
We knew in our case a first look wouldn't work. Shawn and I talked about it, we made our photographer aware of our alternate idea, and we planned our timeline accordingly. I had where we would be during that last hour of light for sunset all mapped out. I think the most important thing, if...

from Shawn

Hello everyone! This is the first in a new series that will be presented by a not-so-new face. My husband, Shawn, has been a huge inspiration for me and Britney Clause Photography. He's helped me build it from day one, and has been an integral part of everything I do. His monthly series should provide a different perspective from what I usually share, including a different opinion and more technical insight to things. Enjoy!
~ Britney
After Britney started doing photography right after college (while we were dating) my responsibilities were very simple. I would go with her to shoots as another set of eyes and hands. I would be there to carry her bag , swap lenses, hold up a background blanket, throw leaves in the air, and other tasks trivial for people with four arms. Sometimes, I had the luxury of being the model myself (free professional headshots for life!) I've always tried to support her business and fill any needs she had. It's only natural that she would soon start teaching me how to use a camera, what to look for in a shot, how to adjust for lighting, and all the other various intricacies of photography. It made it much easier that I spent years looking at her photos, giving and listening to her input on how to shoot.
Fast forward several months through a training montage, and Britney eventually trusted me as a second shooter at a wedding. It went very well, and even though...

Year in Review

Every photo of Shawn and I is important, but the photos that we cherish and love the most are our wedding photos. We look back on our day and see the family that was present along with the memories that were created. Our love for each other and for the day itself shines in every single image. They are a wonderful representation of who we are and why our marriage is special. Those feelings we have for our photos are what motivates us to be our best possible selves for all of our couples.
This past year we were able to photograph 17 amazing couples coming together in marriage. Each wedding was unique to the style of the couple, and every single marriage announcement, I teared up. Shawn and I got to do our first out-of-state wedding in Massachusetts, and because that was such a fabulous experience, we now hope to get more out-of-state nuptials! The best part about this year is that from these weddings, we came out with new friends that we are so excited for and are cheering for every single day.
Gathering the images for this post was something that I wish I could do all of the time. Seeing these days unfold again was beautiful. Shawn and I are incredibly grateful for every opportunity that we have been given. We have really grown as partners and photographers so much over 2015. It was no surprise to me that I started tearing up at...

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

The weather here in Maryland has been completely dreary this week. We've been greeted with grey skies and rain almost this entire week and I'm pretty sick of it. That means today I am taking everyone on a photographic journey to Turks and Caicos to relive the most beautiful honeymoon that has ever honeymoon'd :P. I remember when Shawn and I were planning for our honeymoon and thinking of what we were interested in and what we wanted to avoid. The biggest thing we didn't want: a tropical place. Hahah, well, obviously that didn't stick because as soon as we read a Yahoo article about Provo Island (along with seeing the photos) we were hooked.
Turks and Caicos is amazing. It's a perfect temperature all year round, the crime is almost zero, and the water is the bluest I've seen (I swear I wasn't paid to advertise the island, it just happens naturally). The main thing we wanted was a place that has a sense of relaxation and uniqueness. We found these things on the island and in the places we stayed. We were able to rent a cottage for the first half of our trip called The Ballyhoo Cottage, which was completely breathtaking with a private pool and the ocean in our backyard - perfection! The last four days of our stay were spent at the Villa Del Mar, an amazing hotel resort with the beach right across the street. Now, I have to say, Shawn and I...

A Stunning Engagement in Annapolis, Maryland

We met up with Kati and Chris on a cool November morning at St. John's College in Annapolis. Though it was a sunrise session, these two showed up with bright smiles and a wonderful positive glow around them. They also brought along their sweet goldendoodle, Dempsey, who is so goofy and charming that you cannot help but laugh when you see him. We were just into the first few minutes of the session when the cops came and hauled us off to campus jail... Just kidding! Although we did have to take Dempsey off campus grounds, the security guard was totally nice about it and even hung around for a little to talk to us about how adorable dogs are. (Shout out to that awesome guy!) Once we stepped off campus, Dempsey he made his triumphantly adorable return for the rest of the session :).
Shawn and I loved wandering around downtown with these three, chatting about how nice of a day it was and about their proposal. Kati and Chris showed us just how crazy their height difference with a reenactment of Chris on one knee (so funny!). We made stops at the State House, Ego Alley, and then the William Paca House and Gardens. There was some construction going on out front of the house, which meant that the workers on this fall day got a nice little glimpse of romance, haha. Kati and Chris are so cute and fit together so well that they look...

Patapsco Valley Fall Engagement

I'm not sure if it was the bright leaves or the crisp fall air, but Samantha and Doug's engagement session at Patapsco Valley was fantastic! These two are such an adorable pair. Samantha and Doug were constantly laughing and having fun with each other. It was so cute to see them interactj every time I would tell them to look at one another their faces would light up with huge smiles. Shawn and I could easily see that they just enjoy being around one another.
One of the many great things about this session was that it was at my favorite park. I know I've talked a lot about Patapsco in the past, so I won't waste too much time, but the amount of stuff that this location has is unmatched by anywhere else. For Samantha and Doug's engagement we got to check out a new spot, the Cascade Falls, and it was insanely beautiful! We definitely had a lot of adventures on this session, especially around the falls. Given that it was a new spot, I wanted to cover every nook and cranny around this area, so we attempted to safely climb a little bit up the side of the waterfall. I say attempt because Samantha and Doug had no problem getting into their spots, but I stumbled and almost rolled off the edge - typical Britney, haha! It's a much funnier story since I didn't fall and break anything :P.
I cannot wait to photograph these two sweethearts...

Romantic and Chic Country Club Wedding

When Shawn and I first met with Ali and Matt for their summer engagement session, we had a feeling that their wedding was going to be absolutely fabulous. Little did we know that not only was the day going to be beautiful, but that it was going to be filled with so much warmth and love from everyone involved.
Ali and Matt were married on a gorgeous fall day at the St. Martin's in-the-Field Episcopal Church, a stunning location in Severna Park that was surrounded by orange and yellow leaf trees. Their family and friends all cheered when they shared their first kiss and gave high fives to the newlyweds as they recessed. The reception at Chartwell Country Club was glowing with flickering candles that created such a beautiful atmosphere. One of the most touching moments during the entire night was Matt's brother's speech; just thinking back to has me tearing up. We all take so much for granted, but not these families. They cherish their time with one another, and it absolutely shows with the amount of care that they have for one another.
Shawn and I are so happy that we got to photograph this special day for these two incredible people. Ali and Matt are just amazing and I look forward to seeing where life takes them!
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A little Blue Steel to finish off the portraits :P
All of the amazing vendors that made this day the best day ever!
Ceremony Venue: St. Martin's...

A Fall Engagement in Ellicott City

In September, I met up with Alyssa and Matt on Main Street for their Ellicott City engagement session. It was a perfect fall day with a little bit of summer warmth still lingering in the air. We began the session in a wonderful little garden right next to Patapsco river before strolling up and down the main strip of the city. The colorful shops lining the streets added a great touch to the location. It was pretty much like being in a candy store with all of the pretty backdrop opportunities :P.
Shawn and I really enjoyed spending the evening getting to know Alyssa and Matt. They are such a fun loving pair and I don't think there was a moment during their session where they weren't smiling or laughing. We are really, really looking forward to their summer wedding next June at the Billingsley House -- which I'm positive is going on my list of "best venues ever"!
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A Nautical Wedding at Celebrations at the Bay

If rain on the wedding day is lucky, than a hurricane on your wedding day must give you luck for this lifetime and the next! Rain and wind aside, this beautiful fall wedding took place at Celebrations at the Bay in Pasadena, Maryland. The decor of the wedding was -- fittingly -- nautical with the main color being navy blue and pops of orange showing up in the flowers, centerpieces, and Josh's ring. The storm brewing outside, in a weird way, added an extra layer of excitement to this bayside wedding.
Shawn and I had the best time watching everything come together perfectly for these two. They were surrounded by so many great people, and their bridal party was incredibly fun and kept the couples' minds off the weather. The affectionate term for the day became #StillJoaquinDownTheAisle, haha! I loved capturing their day and I'm still blown away by how gorgeous Jaclyn's dress looked, how touching her dance with her dad was, and how much fun Josh had learning the Whip and Nae Nae.
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All of the amazing vendors that made this day the best day ever!
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Celebrations at the Bay
Caterer: Uptown Catering
Florist: Rose Squatrito
Makeup: Valerie Hammer
Hair: Sally Canterna
DJ: Dave from Event Entertainment
Dress, Designer: David's Bridal
Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse
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Sunrise Engagement Session in Baltimore

Early morning Baltimore sunrise sessions are some of my absolute favorite! It's so calm and peaceful that you almost forget you are in the middle of the city. Seeing the sun poke through the construction off in the distance gave the city a nice industrial golden look that was the perfect start to a wonderful session.
Sarah and Kevin chose Federal Hill Park and the Inner Harbor as the backdrops for their sweet engagement photos. It was such a fun day with these two; even some of the ducks crowding the harbor wanted to get into a few shots :P. Seeing how much love Sarah and Kevin have in their eyes for one another made me that much more excited for their April wedding at the La Fontaine Bleue in Glen Burnie! Ahh - I can't wait!
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An Amazing Wedding at Billingsley House

Aly and Sean are probably two of the most laid back and kind people I have had the pleasure of meeting. They made Shawn and me feel like their close friends, and we were both honored to have captured their wedding day. They have such a wonderful love for each other and getting to witness the smiles and looks they share is something that makes me totally giddy.
I loved every piece of their day. From the location of the Billingsley House that overlooked the Patuxent River to the lawn games that Aly and Sean thoughtfully put out for their guests to have even more fun. Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, Aly pulled me aside and asked me to photograph her giving Sean his wedding gift. The gift was a shotgun which had come from Aly's grandfather, and was engraved with her grandparents wedding year (1961) and with Aly and Sean's underneath. It was an incredible heirloom gift affectionately named "the wedding gun" :P. I couldn't help but be inspired by the loving thoughtfulness that these two possess and all that they do for one another. The life that these two continue to build is going to be such an amazing one. I wish them nothing but the best!
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(They had a second cake with Sean's cake topper :P)
All of the amazing vendors that made this day the best day ever!
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Billingsley House
Caterer: Old...

A Wedding Full of Heart

Everyone has heard that it's good luck to have rain on your wedding day; with that in mind, Hannah and Terry will have the luckiest marriage ever.
The venue for Hannah and Terry's wedding is a gorgeous historic hotel called Emory Grove. It is surrounded by lush green trees and colorful little cabins. Because their engagement session had taken place at Emory Grove, I already had an idea of the beauty surrounding the area. When Shawn and I first arrived, it didn't look like the rain was going to let up, but as soon as Hannah and Terry said "I do" their luck kicked in and the down-pour ceased. Needless to say, I was ecstatic that we were able to explore without having to bother with umbrellas. Not only did Hannah and Terry choose a breathtaking location, but they found the most uniquely fun vendors. From the meals being supplied by food trucks to The Loop band getting everyone on the dance floor -- the entire day was mind blowing.
There are tons of things about weddings that I absolutely love. One of the major things, though, is the incredible families that make the day possible. Hannah and Terry are surrounded by an absolutely amazing support system and it was easy to see how these two individuals became such a strong and loving couple. At certain points during the day, I had to step back and simply enjoy the precious moments shared between not only Hannah and Terry...

A Chic Wedding at Mt. Washington Mill

Katie and Matt completed my trio of weddings at the beginning of September, and it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've had the pleasure of photographing. Their wedding took place at the breath-taking Mt. Washington Mill-Dye House, which is a complete dream. My jaw dropped as soon as I stepped through the door's of the Dye House. Unique architecture, exposed brick, string lights creating a fairytale like glow over dinner and dancing; it's a space that doesn't need many additions to be perfect, but the small details that Katie and Matt did have played wonderfully with the overall atmosphere of the Dye House.
In order to maximize time on their wedding day, I met with Katie and Matt at Fort McHenry a week before their wedding to take their bridal portraits. It was a new experience for me, and I think I may be in love with bridal portraits now. Katie and Matt were able to choose a location that had plenty of variety from bright green trees, to spectacular waterfront. They weren't limited to what their wedding venue had to offer and it allowed them a lot more time at the wedding to enjoy the amazing party. Shawn and I really enjoyed working with Katie, Matt, and their daughter, Larkin. Not only are they calm and down-to-Earth, but they are incredibly sweet. I look forward to any chance I get to work with these three again :).
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The fabulous vendors that made this...

An Awesome Wedding at Quiet Waters Park

At the beginning of September, Shawn and I shot Kristy and Jonathan's self described "backyard BBQ meets contemporary" wedding and family hangout. Their ceremony took place at the Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church, with their reception happening at the Sassafras Pavilion in Quiet Waters Park. Since their engagement session had taken place in August, I didn't have to wait too long to be in the incredible presence of these two again. Kristy and Jonathan's entire day was accented with the greatest details from some of their favorite things (I love that they ship Luigi and Peach), but bigger than the details: their day was filled with a massive amount of love from their family and friends. I teared up more than a few times at the amount of support and happiness that these two have surrounding them.
From Kristy, to other couples preparing to marry their best friend:
"Pray more than you worry. Also, plan for the marriage more than you plan for the wedding day. It doesn't matter what the centerpieces look like or how many people didn't RSVP but still showed up.... you're still just as married as anyone else is once you say 'I do!'"
I could - and probably will - carry that quote with me for all time :).
Congratulations, Kristy and Jonathan! May your life be as wonderful and strong as the love that you have for one another. It was truly a pleasure being a part of your day...

A Beautiful Waterfront Wedding

A few weeks ago Shawn and I went down to our hometown of Pasadena, Maryland for Marielle and Don's wedding. Admittedly we only live 30 minutes away from the 'Dena - but hey - it's still fun to see all the familiar sites, haha! Marielle and Don were married at the beautiful Our Lady of the Chesapeake. Their fantastic reception took place at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. I always enjoy being able to do sessions here, because it has a little bit of everything for portraits. The Blue Heron Center was the perfect spot for this classic wedding, and it was filled with lovely details. The guests had an amazing time celebrating these two newlyweds, and the party seemed to be going constantly. At the end of the night, Marielle and Don's guests all formed a huge circle around these two and sent them off with great cheers and applause! :D
Congratulations, Marielle and Don!
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The getting ready was much less stressful for the guys :P
The fantastic vendors that made this day absolutely amazing!
Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of the Chesapeake
Reception Venue: Blue Heron Center
Florist: Cedar Hill Florist
Hair: Vanity Salon at Angies - stylist: Amber
Caterer: Absolutely Perfect Catering
Cake: Patti Kake
DJ: Mix Masters Entertainment
Dress & Designer: Bridal Boutique - Allure
Suit: Men's Wearhouse - Vera Wang
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An Enchanted Wedding at Liriodendron Mansion

Shawn and I finished August with April and Corey's Alice in Wonderland inspired wedding at Liriodendron Mansion. It was a breathtaking day, and most of the decor for the day was made by April, which was even more amazing. On top of the Wonderland details there was a huge surprise for their guests during the ceremony when a live hawk flew in and delivered their wedding rings!
I had been looking forward to their wedding day since I met these two last Fall for their engagement session, and I knew then that they are the perfect pair. Getting to read their engagement story just solidified that thought even more
"Corey knows I have a love for animals. One day he took me to the Maryland zoo in Baltimore and surprised me by telling me that we were going on a behind the scenes tour of the penguin exhibit! We were able to go in the penguin exhibit and be surrounded by dozens of curious penguins. The zoo keeper giving us the tour asked if we wanted a picture, which we definitely did! So when we got together to take the photo Corey got down on one knee and proposed. Of course I said YES!!! Even the penguins were excited for us; both Corey and I got little nibbles on the leg from our penguin audience!"
How adorable! April and Corey are two of the sweetest people with the biggest hearts. I loved getting to know them and...

An Annapolis Waterfront Engagement

I had been looking forward to Kristy and Jonathan's engagement session since we first started planning it in June. We had some trouble finding a date that worked for everyone, but when we finally were able to meet, it ended up being one of the most beautiful days of the summer. Their session kicked off at St. John's College, which was an amazing location with tons of intimate and romantic spots. From there, we wandered around the streets of Annapolis taking advantage of the gardens and all the cute side streets.
Kristy and Jonathan are a really amazing couple. They are so laid back and - as everyone will see - adorable together! They have such fun personalities, which became really apparent when Jonathan changed into a button-up taco shirt. How fantastic is that? Their engagement session got Shawn and I even more pumped for their September wedding. They were discussing some of the details with us during our downtown stroll and I just know it's going to be a wonderful day!
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It's a Christmas in July Wedding

On Friday, Shawn and I photographed Melissa and Joe's "Christmas in July" wedding at The Mansion at Valley Country Club. It may have been a hot July day outside, but as soon as we stepped into the mansion it was a cool December evening. Melissa and Joe's guests were blown away at the attention to detail and many mentioned that all that was missing was snow. One of my absolute favorite details from their wedding was their guest book: their amazing florist (Raise Your Glass Event) set up a full Christmas tree in the foyer outside the ballroom with some red and white Christmas bulbs, markers, and hooks set up along side it. Guests were instructed to take a bulb, write their well wishes for the happy couple on it, and then hang it on the Christmas tree. By the end of the night, all that was needed were Christmas gifts for Melissa and Joe's daughter, Eleanora, to open :P.
I am absolutely ecstatic to be sharing some of the wonderful images from their day. It is a wedding that Shawn and I will both remember for a lifetime. Thank you to Joe, Melissa, and Eleanora for allowing us to capture your beautiful day!
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Melissa's mother made the cake and the delicious smell filled the entire mansion! So good!
After their first dance, Joe and Melissa brought their daughter out to the dance floor :)
A nice sweet cake cutting and then....
A second round of...

A Mountain Overlook Engagement

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of photographing Kerry and Tommy's engagement session at Sugarloaf Mountain. We had quite the adventure exploring this location, including: finding a baby snake (the area is home to the copperhead), an exhausting hike up the "stone steps", and a gorgeous view from the summit. Even though we were feeling that hike for a few days afterwards, it was a beautiful evening spent with such a great couple :).
These two are longtime friends of mine and (fun fact) I set them up! I've know Kerry and Tommy both separately since high school, and knew they would be perfect for one another back then. Now, playing match maker can be quite difficult: you have to know their personalities, their likes and dislikes, if they can get along, etc.. However, with these two, it was something pretty simple that gave me the light bulb that they would be great together - Anchorman quotes. Good ol' Will Ferrell, haha! It wasn't until college that I was finally able to get Kerry and Tommy to meet, but I think it was well worth the wait. They've been together ever since and have one of the most fun, strongest, and most adventurous relationship. These two really are a perfect fit <3.
That was all five years ago! It's incredible how fast time goes by; now these two are getting married and will continue the beautiful life that they have together. I can't wait to see what...

A Lovely Homestead Engagement

On Sunday, Shawn and I traveled to the Shoemaker Homestead in Taneytown, Maryland for Samantha and John's wonderfully rustic engagement session! It was quite possibly the hottest day of the summer thus far, but that didn't stop these love birds from wrapping each other in sweet hugs. I was able to get glimpse of what their wedding day will be like since Shoemaker Homestead is where these two will be exchanging vows and dancing into the night. It is a breathtakingly gorgeous location and Laura, the owner, is as sweet as can be. I cannot imagine a more perfect place for Samantha and John to be married!
Samantha and John both attended York College in Pennsylvania where they actually were neighbors for a bit. However, it wasn't until they ran into each other in Baltimore that they started talking and eventually dating. Being so close to one another, but never even realizing it until your paths cross in some fateful way, is really an amazing thing. I adore when love stories begin before either person even realizes it!
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An Engagement at Mt. Aventine Mansion

I met with Sara and Charlie last Tuesday for their initial consultation. From that first meeting, I felt like I had known them for years. Both Shawn and I were unbelievably excited for their wedding. Not long after their meeting, we set up their engagement session for that Thursday at Chapman State Park. I had looked up some photo's online and I was blown away at how perfect it was. A tree lined driveway, fields, and the gorgeous mansion - it was a dream! The two days that it took until their session felt like a lifetime, haha!
During their meeting, Charlie mentioned that the spot that he proposed to Sara at was the same spot that he fell in love with her, and that their relationship just played in slow motion for him while he was proposing (how cute is that?!). I can honestly say that certain parts of their session played very much like a romantic movie with how they lit up in each other's arms. Sara and Charlie were constantly giggling, smiling, and exchanging sweet kisses while overlooking this beautiful piece of land. They are adorable together; with their dog, Hazel, the cuteness is totally on a different level!
I'm starting my countdown early for their wedding in September 2016 :P!
:P
Look at those eyes! Such a beautiful dog!
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Emory Grove Hotel Engagement

The morning of Hannah and Terry's engagement session was absolutely gorgeous. The sun covered the entire venue in a beautiful gold, which made every corner of Emory Grove breathtaking! The greatest part was that Emory Grove is where Hannah and Terry are going to be having their wedding. It was such a special morning and seeing these two in their wedding element just made me even more excited for their big day.
I'm fairly certain that I hit a new record in awwing, which I'm sure everyone will be doing when they get a glimpse of Hannah and Terry's adorableness. These two are just too cute, and I adore the way they both look at each other. Their moments together during the session were so sweet and genuine that I was constantly doing internal happy dances, haha!
I cannot wait for their September wedding! :D
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An Elegant Wedding at Ceresville Mansion

Brittany and Steve are such an amazing couple that Shawn and I are lucky enough to call friends. Getting to witness two people exchanging vows and sweet glances at each other is always something that makes my heart happy, but it's even more special when it's two people that I have gotten to see grow together over the years. After I had the honor of shooting their engagement session, I could not wait for their wedding day. It was a day I had a special countdown for in my phone, and whenever another week would tick by, my giddiness would just skyrocket!
Everything about their big day was spot on. From the decorations to the weather there wasn't any more that these two could have asked for! Speaking of the weather and how perfect it was: the week leading up to Brittany and Steve's wedding was a complete wash with flood warnings all throughout Maryland. It rained every single day and there was even a call for rain on the wedding day, but, by the grace of God, the grey clouds cleared and the sun came out right in time for the ceremony.
There was a lot to love about this day, but I think one of the best parts was their unity ceremony. I've seen a lot of unity candles and some sand ceremonies, but this was the first time I had seen the making of a PB&J sandwich. It was completely unique and THE cutest thing...

A Superhero Wedding

Meghan and Morgan's wedding was such a fun event! Just like their engagement session, Meghan and Morgan had a lot of fun superhero references that made an appearance throughout the day. They described their wedding style as a "fun, casual, superhero wedding" and they were not kidding! There was an awesome photobooth type station that had a wide array of superhero masks and props, and their guests would put on any props they wanted and then take a quick snap with the provided Polaroid camera. It was such a great idea! I would totally recommend this to anyone who doesn't want a tradition photobooth and instead just wants a quick snap of friends. Eventually the masks made their way to the dance floor where the groom - I mean Captain America - and Iron Man showed off their dance moves :P.
This pair is definitely amazing and I cannot wait to see where life and their love takes them!
Meghan and Morgan, thank you so much for allowing Shawn and me to capture your day! If your life together is anything like your wedding day, it will be beautiful, silly, and completely epic!
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All of the awesome vendors that made this day amazing!
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Mayo Beach Park
Caterer: Absolutely Perfect Catering
Florist: Mahers Florist
Hair & Makeup: Ashley Comegna at Ambition Salon
DJ: Stan Greenleaf
Bridal Gown: David's Bridal
Groom's Tux: Men's Wearhouse
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A Fantastic Wedding at the Anchor Inn

Heather and Tommy's wedding day was absolutely perfect! I had been anticipating their wedding ever since their engagement session last Fall. These two are so sweet together, and when they are wrapped in each other's arms it's as if the rest of the world just fades away. During their ceremony there was a moment when Heather started to tear up and Tommy ever so gently reached over to her and just grabbed her hand. It's in those small actions that you see real genuine love and caring. It was really a beautiful and special moment.
I am ecstatic to share Heather and Tommy's photos. Everything was just so wonderfully placed and the reception venue: wow! The Anchor Inn in Pasadena was completely breathtaking; the inside was so light and airy and Heather and Tommy's beach inspired decorations fit amazingly with the space! The decor was also fitting considering Tommy proposed to Heather in Ocean City while walking down the beach (AH! So adorable!). I'm so happy that I was able to be apart of this gorgeous day and I'm really looking forward to showing these two all of their beautiful images! :D
Heather and Tommy, thank you so much allowing Shawn and me to capture this very special day! We know your life together will be just as amazing! :)
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Even though everyone knows already, thank you Shawn for being my photo sidekick (even though you're THE superhero in my eyes)
All of the awesome vendors...

A Beautiful DIY Wedding at Overhills Mansion

"I knew on our first date. Well, I guess it would be more accurate to say that I suspected, and that with time my suspicions were confirmed. Right when I met him I just got this overwhelming feeling of being totally at ease with him. He was warm and funny and smart and handsome and something just clicked. On my drive home after our first date, I called two of my best friends to tell them I had just met The One!"
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I had to start off with that quote from Jen about when she knew Brock was her person. It is a wonderful story of the beginnings of love, and it's made me think about the feelings that come with finding THE one. There isn't anything special that has to happen that let's you know someone is your forever. No angels, or doves, or magic carpet rides; it's just two people being together and being at ease. It's like inhaling fresh air after being cooped up inside all day. There's a sudden relief and everything seems to just fit. Love is a beautiful thing :).
I don't think I could have asked for a better way to help kick off this wedding season than to photograph Jennifer and Brock's wedding! This wedding can be summed up as elegant, fun, and DIY. Jen is a DIY queen. Everything from the invitations to the "Brock <3 Jen" cookie favors were created/baked by Jen! All of...

A Breathtaking Wedding at London Town & Gardens

I cannot say enough amazing things about Lisa and Michael. When I met with them last year, I could immediately tell they were something special; when I shot their engagement session this past January, I just knew they were the perfect pair. I had been counting down the days until their wedding. When it arrived, I had so much energy and excitement, I had to dance in the car before getting to them (otherwise I probably would have seemed super strange)!
The weather on their day started off a little cloudy and a touch rainy, but by the time the ceremony rolled around, the clouds in the sky were highlighted by the sun behind them and gave the perfect backdrop for their vows. Of course, with their wedding at London Town, it was pretty much guaranteed that the ceremony would be breathtaking, but the added bit of sky just made it that much better. Lisa and Michael have a love like no other. During their bride and groom portrait session Michael was constantly keeping Lisa laughing and Lisa was constantly giving Michael sweet little kisses. They are filled with so much love for one another, watching them together and seeing how they look at each other makes my heart incredibly happy.
I loved hearing how they both knew the other was the one, and Michael's take on it really drove home how great they are together: "I believe it takes a tremendous number of moments to add up...

An Engagement Overlooking Maryland

A beautiful couple with beautiful doggies in a beautiful location; could there be anything better? Rocks State Park is such a great location on its own, but whenever I get to shoot in a place that is special to a couple, that location becomes even more amazing!
We started off this wonderful engagement session with a visit to this really cool waterfall. Since it was such a great day out, there were loads of swimmers all around the waterfall, but Cal and Emily did not let that affect their model posing. I could almost forget the people around us, except for all the splashing, haha! As Shawn stayed back to hang on to the pups by the waterfall, Emily, Cal, and I traveled up the river and really explored more of the area. I just cannot say enough about this location. It was so green and bright - the perfect indication that Spring is here to stay!
Our next stop was to the King and Queen Chairs where the dogs were let loose to have fun! This area was gorgeous, and had a spectacular view of the park below us. As long as no one thought of how far up we were, or looked over the edge of the rock cliff, we were totally fine! The three dogs - Sarge, Harvey, and Pickles - acted as my assistants in getting Emily and Cal to burst with laughter. At one point, Emily and Cal were off being cute and as I...

Tips and Tricks: Kicking Up Your Engagement Session

I'm so excited to be starting a new section on my blog! I've been wanting for a really long time to offer informational posts to help clients. I've had many clients ask me for styling help, vendor help, location suggestions, etc., and now I finally get the chance to put my knowledge together and put it all out into the blog-o-sphere. Today's entry? Engagement session tips and tricks!
I absolutely adore engagement sessions, they are fun, can be super unique, and a great way for me to get to know my couples. Usually my couples aren't use to having a camera following them around, so this gets them comfortable with the process and makes the wedding day photos that much better. The best part of it all is that I offer these session as complimentary in all of my wedding collections. There is really no downside at all, haha! Today I want to share a few things I love about engagements and some tips on getting the most from these sessions.
Have fun!
Easy, right? The first thing I tell my couples when we are starting out is to get close together and to tell jokes to one another. Pretend you aren't in the middle of the city or the park with a camera next to you :P. If you want to make silly faces, go for it! I love the goofiness and I will often be laughing with you two. The reactions that come from being silly are the...

A Winter Wedding at Overhills Mansion

This was one of the sweetest weddings! I'm not kidding, I have a habit of tearing up during weddings, but I think I hit a new record for the amount of times I almost started full out crying. From Kelli's first look with her dad (which is something that always chokes me up), to the special surprise Ashwin had for Kelli during the reception. This wedding was perfect.
I have to share this snippet from Kelli's take on the proposal, because I think Ashwin upgraded his awesome secret keeping skills on the wedding day: "Ashwin can't keep a secret to save his life. So to make sure I didn't know until the right moment, he came up with 20 (literally, not figuratively) different plans, so whenever he leaked a detail to me, he could switch plans and still be ok. I was thoroughly confused by this. Eventually, he just scrapped the whole plan and asked me on a walk to our favorite spot, to everyone's surprise."
After Ashwin's dance with his mother, he went up to Kelli, took her hand, and led her to two newly placed chairs in the middle of the dance floor. Kelli's face was priceless, but as soon as the microphone and guitar came out she knew she was about to be serenaded. Ashwin prefaced that he had learned how to play one of Kelli's favorite songs, "Drops of Jupiter" by Train. He mentioned he couldn't remember all of the words perfectly and...

Snowy Maryland Engagement

The first snow of the season was taken full advantage of for Lisa and Michael's engagement session!
I was so excited for this session. Every time the weather called for snow I would instantly get ready to email Lisa, but unfortunately, Maryland likes to play tricks and change the forecast at the last second :P. Finally, the snow fell and I had the best time photographing this adorable couple! Looking at these two, you can see how well they fit together. They are perfect for one another with Michael being really silly and Lisa always encouraging him with reminders of how much she loves him. They are a couple that you just want to be friends with.
Their engagement story from Lisa is so sweet: "We were walking down by the water in Fells Point. Michael stops and pulls me in close and says, 'Isn't this the spot where I asked you to be my girlfriend?' Me, not understanding what was going on, I start questioning him saying that I think we were a little further down the street when it happened. He said, 'No, I think it was right here and this is where I'm going to ask you to be my wife.' Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him :)"
I cannot wait to photograph their wedding this May. It's definitely going to be warmer (haha) and filled with an amazing amount of love.
Okay, models. Seriously...

A Fall Engagement

I know I've probably said this a million times before, but my favorite spot to shoot is Patapsco Valley State Park. It seriously has everything anyone could ever need for photos: fields, a cable bridge, rivers, train tracks, and tunnels. Each session I try to get a different look from each spot and I never have trouble finding new and interesting areas.
Heather and Tommy are just under 5 months away from their May nuptials and there is no a better season than Fall to take engagement photos (I may be a little biased to the fall :P). The weather on this November morning was actually pretty perfect! The weather was cool, but it wasn't an unbearable freezing. These two just had to get close together in order to forget about the slight chill that ran through the air.
I think one of my favorite things from this day was how these two looked at each other. Every time Tommy would look at Heather, a smile would spread across his face that just made it obvious how much he loves her :D. I can't wait for their wedding this Spring!
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Sunrise in the City Engagement

I met with April and Corey in October to go over some of the details of their August wedding. In just one meeting I could tell that they were one of the loveliest couples I've had the pleasure of meeting. They had a few places planned out for a shoot, and the two that we decided to go to were Federal Hill and Patterson Park. I had shot at Federal Hill a couple times, but I hadn't ever had a session at Patterson Park, so I was pretty thrilled.
We started just before sunrise at Federal Hill and this was the morning to be out in Baltimore. The clouds were amazing, and it stayed dark long enough that the lights of the city lit up the background. Don't even get me started about the color of the sky: it was perfect! Since we were out so early, there was barely any traffic and no crowds, so we had the location to ourselves. We stayed at Federal Hill for about an hour and took full advantage of the city overlook and the beautiful fall colored trees.
Our next location was Patterson Park, which was easy to get to at 7:30 am. This park was wonderful for a morning session. The only people that were out were joggers and dog walkers - people that speed out of frame quickly and people with adorable puppies. April had looked up some facts about the park, so as we walked she talked about some...

A Fun and Fall Engagement

Meghan and Morgan's engagement session ended up being one of the windiest days in November, which wasn't any problem for us since it just made these two cuddle closer together :P. It was such a beautiful day: the trees still had all of their colorful fall leaves on their branches and there wasn't a cloud in sight to block the setting sun. Even though it was chilly, it really had no effect on the greatness of the day.
When I met with Meghan and Morgan back in August they mentioned that they wanted to do a comic book picnic. I was immediately on board and counting down the days until their session. I love having little scenes during engagement sessions, since it gives an extra pop to the already adorable happenings and I love when couples express themselves in super cute ways! I've seen vintage books, full picnic setups with food, and records sprawled on blankets, but I had never seen a comic book setup. It was really unique and something that just pushed this session to a whole new level.
I am so excited for their May wedding. I can only imagine how personalized and how wonderful it is going to be!
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A Classic Wedding at the Royal Sonesta

At the end of August I had the great pleasure of photographing Jillian and Jack's wedding. It was such an amazing day with this beautiful couple, and I am so happy that I got to capture these special moments for them.
These two truly compliment each other so well, and one of the sweetest moments was when Jack saw Jillian coming down the aisle. Seeing his eyes well up with tears and excitement took this wedding to a totally different level. There was not a dry eye in the church when these two were announced as husband and wife. Even nature decided to shed some happy tears!
There were a ton of precious moments during this wedding, especially during Jillian's dad's speech to the newlyweds, which I couldn't help but tear up. The amount of love that was incorporated into this day was one of the most beautiful things I have seen and I am so excited to be sharing some of these special memories!
Jillian and Jack, I'm so happy that I was able to be apart of your special day. Your love is an amazing thing and I know you guys are going to have a wonderful life together! :D
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Watching Jack and the rest of the guys cross the street with my second shooter (and husband) Shawn!
Commencing the pocket square challenge
While the guys came back to the hotel and hid, Jillian had her amazing first look with her dad :'D.
Then the...

Romantic Fell's Point Engagement

Even though Jennifer and Brock are getting married next May, it hasn't stopped me from counting down the day until I get to photograph these two again. They are seriously the sweetest couple and had no issues being close and cuddly for their session. They just naturally went in to it; laughing, and giving kisses, they even walk down the street adorably! Capturing their happiness and giggle inducing love is why I cherish my job so much.
This day was also extra special because it was Brock's birthday. I think that the universe knew it was his birthday/engagement session day and that all helped make the morning just amazing. The sunrise was pink and orange, the temperature had a refreshing chill to it, and the rain that was called for was no where to be found - it was like a weather gift from the gods :P.
I am beyond excited to share these images, so I'm going to get on with the presenting!
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A Beautiful Wedding at Saint Jane Francis

Maryland is where it is at for Mary and Justin, who you might recognize from their engagement session in the fall. I had been looking forward to their wedding because of Mary's description of the MD theme. Everything from their cake colors to the design on Mary's nails reflected their love for Maryland. I loved seeing the tiny details and big picture come together for their wedding day. I never realized how much of a designer's dream the Maryland flag is - it can be transformed into so many different things that no one would ever think of!
When I first arrived at Mary's house, I was surprised to see how calm she was! Nothing stressed her out, and even their cake topper disappearing only made Mary shrug and go "Oh well." I think her very zen-like appearance was due to her knowing she was marrying the man of her dreams and that a missing cake topper wasn't going to change that. In fifty years she isn't even going to remember the things that were missing, so she felt no need to stress. I was definitely envious of her calm nature!
Another thing I was envious of? Mary and Justin's reception: it was totally awesome! After a beautiful ceremony and some hilarious portraits of the bridal party, it was off to a reception that is now on my "Top Five Favorite Receptions" list. Mary and Justin made their grand entrance by breaking through a banner with their...

A Wonderful Wedding at Oak Crest Village

Over the summer, I met up with Laura and Mike to shoot their engagement photos at Clipper Mill in Baltimore. I knew from my first meeting with these two that I was going to love them, and I was not wrong. Laura is so caring and kind, always asking how you are doing - even when it's her day! I really got to know Laura through our near-constant communication via email. She was so pleasant to work with and always so calm. As I plan my own wedding, being that relaxed is something I DREAM of having :P.
I always try to look at my clients as friends since it makes it so easy to slip into shooting, and also it gives me an excuse for being so happy for them, hahah! Laura makes it easy to look at her as a friend. I'll even admit, a few times during Mike and Laura's wedding, I found myself tearing up because I was just so excited for them (as did watching their wedding video from Eric Stishan). They really are a perfect match; Laura is considerate and selfless, Mike is easy-going and generous. The number of friends and family there for the big day was a huge indicator that they are very deserving of everlasting love and joy. During the toasts, the best man gave an heartfelt speech about the two of them that I think left everyone with red, teary eyes. Luckily, I was hidden behind my camera so no...

Historic Couples Session in Savage Mill

Fall was still hanging on in the beginning of December!
For Ashley and Justin's session, we went out to Savage Mill. I had never had a shoot out there, and when we arrived, I was amazed at all of the fun and cute places. It is seriously a little bit of everything, all rolled into a dollop of a town.
I had a plan to start by the bridge, just so they could get comfy with the camera. But they didn't need any warming up, and slipped into the model behavior right off the bat. I've been so lucky with my couples; they all seem to be well versed with posing :P! I actually have a lot of outtakes from this shoot since they were both adorable goof-balls with one another!
When we finished with the Mill part, we started wandering around the little river area that went under the bridge. It is a very cool area, and a lot of my favorite shots came from this stretch of river. There were no distractions of cars or people. Just Ashley and Justin being close and lovey :).
It's easy to see the love that these two have for one another, and I'm really looking forward to sharing these images!
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A Fall Engagement with Fur-Babies

I am so excited to share some of the beautiful photos from Brittany and Steve's engagement session! I am friends with both Brittany and Steve, and when I found out they were engaged I was super happy for the both of them. I remember seeing the photo on Facebook of a rock on her finger - seriously, it was a rock that Steve had taken from their garden and proposed with :'). Afterwards, Brittany and Steve went and got the sparkly ring, but the original proposal was so memorable, sweet, and perfect! Steve had really thought out his engagement; I find it adorable when guys think about the whole process and the person they are proposing to, and do it in a way that is tailored to them as a couple. It speaks volumes about them as a couple, and I love their story since it makes me smile! Their session was in November, during an autumn with particularly nice weather. I feel like the fall colors stuck around much longer, and the good weather was kind of consistent. This day was particularly great, and Brittany and Steve brought their two gorgeous dogs, which I think boosted the day by 50 points! I cannot wait to see how amazing their wedding will be :D!
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A Charming Wedding at Historic London Town & Gardens

On October 27th, I traveled to Historic London Town & Gardens in Edgewater, Maryland for Sue and Joel's beautiful wedding. I had been looking forward to their fall wedding ever since their summer engagement session in July. When you think of the ideal weather for a wedding, this day was it. It wasn't unbearably hot, it wasn't freezing, it was just flawless! Sue had her daughters and son involved with the wedding and I feel like they helped a great deal with keeping everything Sue envisioned for the day in smooth working order. The best part about the wedding was that Sue and Joel were going to be sailing off into the sunset at the conclusion of the evening and had Joel's sailboat waiting at the venue's pier. Unfortunately, they had a funny memory from their sailing moment, since the boat had become stuck in the sand due to the tide going out. They enlisted all of their friends and family to help, and even Sue got up on the side of the boat to try to rock the boat out of the sand. Though it wasn't what they had in mind, Sue and Joel were in good spirits about it all and ended up getting some good time together on the boat, with a bottle of champagne, as they waited for the tow boat to come.
Sue and Joel, thank you so much for letting me share your special day. You both are fantastic!
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A few...

Sunrise Farm Engagement

I'm really excited to be sharing these images from Mary and Justin's engagement session. I went out to Laurel to shoot their engagement photos wayyyy back in October at an adorable farm owned by Justin's grandmother. It was a gorgeous morning and Mary and Justin are just so adorable and silly together. When we were finishing up, Mary and Justin busted out their Maryland Terp jerseys, a football, and started some of the cutest goofy photos I've ever seen. Their love for each other show's through in all of the photos and I'm really glad I get to share these because they make me smile. I am so excited for their April wedding and being able to witness a day celebrating them is just something that makes me so giddy! I cannot wait! :D
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:D Cute!
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A Beautiful Wedding at Linganore Winecellars

A few weeks ago I traveled up to Mount Airy for Jessica and Thomas's wedding! I was super excited and had been looking forward to it since the day I met with them way back in May (before I even knew if I passed their interview process :P). The day started at a salon on the main street of the town, where the girls were getting even more beautified than they were naturally. Jessica was mostly calm, except for occasionally showing her excitement with a huge smile and a laugh with her girls. I don't know how she got through the day without being stressed out at all! It certainly helped that the day ran incredibly smoothly, since both Jessica and Thomas had everything timed and organized perfectly. Before the ceremony, Jessica and Thomas did a first look that was accompanied by the wedding party and most of their family. It was and incredible build-up, with people were cheering and laughing and shouting when Jess was near, Thomas was turning around, when the big reveal finally happened. Just typing it makes me giddy all over again! During the ceremony, the sun created a gorgeous pink and orange sky, and there was plenty of laughter, as well as emotional readings from both the bride and groom's mothers. It was only the ceremony, and the day already felt like it couldn't get any better. But there was still the night-time photo session! After some wonderful buffet selections (quesadillas, meatballs, and 7...

Clipper Mill Engagement Session

I met with Laura and Michael at Clipper Mill in the early morning hours of a bright sunny Saturday. Before we even started, I could see the glances that Laura and Michael gave each other, the big smiles, and small excited giggles, and I knew this was going to be an amazing session. They radiate when they are together and they spread it to other people as well because all throughout the shoot I couldn't help but smile and constantly say, "Awwwww"! We spent a good portion of the morning in the Clipper Mill area, and when we had fully exhausted the area, Laura suggested another gorgeous spot in the city - Preston Gardens Park. All around that area is just highway and asphalt; then you come to the park and it's like a little piece of perfection smack dab in the city. We finished up at the gorgeous fountain with a little impromptu dance between these two lovely people. I love being right about a session being amazing :P.
Laura and Michael, I am so happy that I get to be a part of your big day and am looking forward to your beautiful December wedding!
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A Washington College Engagement

When I crossed the bridge into Chestertown, MD I was transported to a place I was not expecting. Washington College is set among a quaint little town right on the water with sailboats and fishing happening all around. I passed little shops and many people out and around a little fountain in the heart of the town. The campus is made up of classic architecture, which fit the name of the president the college represented. I understood why Thomas and Jessica picked the school that they attended to be the backdrop for their engagement session. Thomas and Jessica are not just normal alumni, that graduate and never look back, they told me facts about the campus and stories of their time there and really showed me how much they loved the school they hailed from. I enjoyed listening to all of their stories while they giggled to each other and made silly faces at one another. As the sun set, they showed me an area away from the campus that had views of the beautiful water. As I was snapping my last few images a lone, colorful, sailboat wandered into the shot. Perfect.
Thomas and Jessica, you both have so much love for each other and I can't wait to celebrate that in just a couple months!
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A Fun Waterfront Couples' Session

In April, my friend Alexis (who some may remember) asked me about photographing her and her girlfriend, Lili. Unfortunately, we were all extra busy in April and May, but luckily in June we all were able to get together at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Quiet Waters has to be one of my favorite spots, since it's so pretty and there are ALWAYS lots of places to shoot at; it seems like new places pop up each time :P. No matter how many times I photograph there, the people I am with always give the area a different kind of energy, which is my favorite part of the photo-taking. Lili and Alexis are so goofy, and filled with so much happiness and love. Even though this was just the second time I was meeting Lili (the first being at Leah and Glenn's wedding), I felt like we had been friends for such a long time - it was a wonderful time and I'm looking forward to sharing their images! :D
So perfect, right? Oh my goodness! :D
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A Rustic Wedding at the Howard County Conservancy

On May 11, I had the pleasure of photographing Leah and Glenn's wedding. You may remember when I posted their engagement session. It was the most amazing, intimate, and cute wedding that I've been to and I am going to proclaim is as one of my favorite weddings! It took place at the Howard County Conservancy in Woodstock, Maryland. The surrounding area is picture perfect suburbia, then the area opens up to this gorgeous field to reveal the Conservancy. When my second shooter and I arrived, the weather was great - lots of sun, clouds, and a comfortable warm. Then, the weather shifted and it started to downpour, which worried me how it would impact the ceremony (it was taking place in the barn at the conservancy). But it seemed like the heavens knew just when to start and stop raining. It stopped soon after Leah announced she was all ready to go to the barn, started once she was safely inside, and stopped a little after the ceremony was done. The storm didn't diminish any of the happiness, though, and Leah was all smiles as she walked down the aisle to Glenn.
I love the way Leah and Glenn look at each other. it's amazing when you see two people's eyes light up just at the sight of one another. They are such a wonderful pair, and I'm so glad that I was able to capture all the love between them, their family, and their friends. Not to...

Perfectly Rustic Barn Engagement

Since Glenn and Leah are getting married this Saturday (AHHH :D) I figured it was FINALLY time to buckle down and post their engagement session. They already had the location picked out, a gorgeous farm where they actually keep their horse, Doc. It was such a beautiful place and obviously the perfect location since they are getting married in a barn soon :P! I had so much fun with their session, they are pretty much the funniest couple ever, and they go together so well. I'm so glad that they allowed me into their world and that I get to photograph their wedding in a matter of days. Ahhhhh! Excitement!
The way Glenn looks at Leah is pretty much the cutest thing ever!
Looking at their pictures makes me SOOOO much more excited for the wedding. I was already excited, but now I'm on a whole new level :P
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It Rained All Weekend

Two weekends ago, Shawn and I decided that it would be really fun to go camping. He had received A LOT of camping gear from his parents, my parents, and me this past Christmas, so we had to start using it at some point! We travelled out to Elk Neck State Park up in North East, Maryland (this isn't the general area of the park, it's the name of the town where the park was located, this made my parents really confused for some reason :P.) When we finally were finished shopping at the local Walmart for food, extra sweat pants, and blankets (it was freezing) we finally made it to our campsite. It was around 10:30 pm and pitch black out, we didn't know where the other campsites were located and we thought we heard water nearby, but we couldn't be sure. Shawn, being the expert wilderness man he is, quickly set up the tent and I sorta helped move all our stuff in - I don't think I was very helpful because I was busy taking night pictures, which I will show but not until the end of this post since they are my favorite!
We fell asleep pretty quickly and the next day it rained the entire morning and was forecasted to rain most of the day. When we caught a break in the downpour Shawn and I were starving so we got the stove, the sausage, and the pancake mix ready and made the fastest...

Family Day at the Carnival

On Tuesday my family and I went to the carnival at Harundale Plaza, it was still daylight out so there wasn't that many people out yet, which made the day really great! My niece and nephew are 10 and 8, having them run around in a crowded area never sounds like a fun time, being able to walk around with them and take photographs without that worry of watching them like a hawk as they zig zag through groups was definitely a relief. Since they pretty much had the whole park to themselves there was no lines and they rode all the "non-scary" rides in about 30 mins....and they rode those rides two or three times that has to be some kind of record, hahah! Shawn and I even got to ride some of the rides, which was exciting - I actually forgot how scary that giant slide is. But of course Shawn had more of an exciting time since he got to ride the ferris wheel AND the bumper cars, my nephew is crazy about Shawn, so as soon as we got into the carnival Danny exclaimed, "SHAWN AND ME ARE GOING ON THE FERRIS WHEEL!" :) So cute.
I wish every day could be like this.
Such a fun day!&nbsp...

A Homemade Valentine for My Love

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE!!! Even though everyone makes a big deal out of it being a romantic, Ineedaboyfriendorgirlfriendtoenjoyit, day I've always thought of it as kind of a day to celebrate with anyone. It's never been a hated day in my eyes, I mean, I get candy from my step-dad, my mom tells me she loves me (she does that all the time, but it's a "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, I LOVE YOU thing) it's just a good day to either spend it with family or a significant other. Maybe I'm the only one that looks at it that way, but I guess my parents never made me feel like it was a day that HAD to be spent with a boyfriend, heck, before I had boyfriends they would take me and my step-sister out to dinner with them. So, YEAH, moral of this story is - you don't need to blacklist this day just because you don't get taken out to a fancy dinner with a girlfriend or boyfriend, your family can help make the day just as happy :).
ANYWAY, last month I tried to make my own stamps, I was very happy with the results! I know I just got done saying how YOU DON'T NEED NO MAN, but I do have one and he does make me very happy, so my motivation to...

A Christmas Thor-y

This Christmas was pretty cool. I received a lot of great camera stuff from my mom and step-dad and even got a Kinect from them too! What was more fun than the things I got was the fact that the previous night I had spent the whole day with parents and, since I usually stay next door at my grandma's house, I spent the night in my old room. It was a lot of fun getting to wake up on Christmas, go into my parent's room, and bug them at 7:30am, instead of having to call them, and then walk over, and blah blah blah boring stuff! Unfortunately, my mom wouldn't wake up, so I had to sit for 30 minutes with my dog, Thor, by the Christmas tree. I started thinking how his health and spunk haven't been what they use to be and that he's already 10 years old. I decided right there that I would show how Thor's Christmas went, it was a fun little project for the morning and helped past the time while my mom and step-dad slept (but seriously? Who sleeps on Christmas?).
Thor waiting patiently (much better than me)
FINALLY! Mom woke up!
Ready for presentssssssss
Hahaha
Wasting nooo time (he also stole a lot of his Busy Bones behind our backs)
After chowing on his treats, it was time for breakfast. But Thor's begging got him kicked out of the kitchen :P
Thanking Mom for his...

We had a Picnic

Wahhhhh, I haven't updated in forever! Okay, two weeks. A little update: I've been sick for the past two weeks, so I haven't been able to do much posting. I'm going to be posting TWICE this week, tonight, (obviously) and then tomorrow (which will be a Halloween-ish blog). I feel like I need to make-up for what I have not posted! And since I am feeling kinda better, I'm able to concentrate on something other than a cup of tea and the inside of my eye lids :P.
ANY WHO! Two weekends ago my boyfriend, Shawn, and I took a little trip to Patapsco State Park, we had visited there before (I wrote a blog on that time as well) but that time was just a hiking adventure. THIS time had food involved, which made it an infinity times more cool!
Our graffiti table
We had apple slices
Black bottom cuppiecakes and....
BIRTHDAY PLATES THAT WERE 99 CENTS!
We actually had a lot more food (sandwiches, chips, and watermelon), but we ate those items too quickly :P. After our lunch time was over we started walking around the park, it was chilly and all fall like with leaves everywhere and orange and yellow colors, really, really splendid.
Hmmmm, the day was perfect...

Memories of the Past

First, I really love old photographs and it doesn't matter to me if it is my family or someone else's family, I just looooove them! Second, my grandma found a tin full of old family photos in my great grandma's house, so, naturally, I swiped the tin and took it to my apartment to look through. As I started sifting through the photos I noticed there were A LOT from when my great grandpa was in (I think) the Korean War, which were really interesting because I had only seen a few photographs of him from when he was younger. Half of the photos of him were with his buddies, a few were with random women (before he married my great grandma), and then the rest were shots of the army equipment and the land. As I neared the bottom of the tin I found a SUPPPPER old photo of my great grandma when she was probably 12 years old. I sat and stared at it for a little while because I see my great grandma how she is now and how she has been for my entire life, but then I see this photo of a little girl that claims to be her, it makes me slightly teary eye'd to see the younger her, I can't really explain it. But I know that it makes me love photographs even more. Of couse there were the other standard...

Take a Hike

So on Saturday, my boyfriend, Shawn, and I went to Patapsco State Park because it was close to my house and we wanted to go walk some trails. It was a pretty cool day (temperature wise) and fun to get out and do something natury :). I took my camera and took a bunch of pictures of the trails, trees, and of course Shawn :P. He actually didn't mind me having my camera pointed at him most of the time, he is a big ham so I think he enjoyed it quite a bit. Anyway, we stayed out there for about an hour and a half and then walked back since the park was closing at 8:30 and it was currently 8:40 :P. I took a little looksy at the images and decided that I haven't played enough with this pack of filters I got for Photoshop, so I did that! Got some cool results with it and I only used like....4 of the different color effects on my images and there are about 100 others! I gots a lot of fun ahead of me! :D IMAGE TIME!
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School Photography Projects

So, I'm quickly approaching the end of my fall senior semester. All of my projects are running together, I'm finding it difficult to sleep, and my brain is just going 10,000 mph. Even though all of my projects have been done at pretty much the last possible second, I still find them quite successful. One of my most recent projects was to make a story book, I used my niece because I love photographing her. I'm not going to go through the whole story because not all of the photos are that great, but there was three that followed each other that I absolutely loved. The story was basically a secret garden type adventure with finding a key and seeing where it goes. Anyway, here are those photos.
Also, for another project, I needed to work in my schools studio. Here are some photos from that :)
Well, that is about it for tonight :). Enjoy
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